USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 26
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dusky by his parents and here he was reared, securing his preliminary education in the public schools of Upper San- dusky. The medical profession held an allurement for him and so, as a preparatory step, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and commenced reading medicine with Dr. Hyme of that city. He matriculated in the Starling Medical College at Colum- bus, this state, in 1881, and pursued three courses of study in that institution. He also attended two terms at Wooster University, Cleveland, being graduated at the latter institu- tion in 1885. He at once returned to Upper Sandusky and entered upon the active practice of his profession. He soon secured a liberal and remunerative patronage and has won recognition as one of the leading physicians of this section of Ohio. Under the administration of President Cleveland Dr. Stutz held for four years the office of secretary of the board of pension examiners. He has held the position of county physician for twenty-five years, was county coroner and has been health officer of the city for fifteen years. He takes a keen interest in educational matters and for two terms he has been a member of the school board. These posi- tions were mostly along the line of his profession but he has also been interested in the general welfare of his city, as is shown by the fact that he was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Upper Sandusky Board of Trade, and is still a member of that body. In January, 1895, Dr. Stutz was commissioned by Governor Mckinley assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment Infantry, Ohio National Guard, with which rank he served for a period of three years. He has been identified with various public enterprises, prominent among which is the Tiffin & Marion Electric Railroad, now in course of construction. When completed this road, con- sisting of a double track, will connect the cities of Tiffin and Marion and pass through the towns of Melmore, Sycamore, Belleverton, Upper Sandusky, Little Sandusky and places of lesser note, besides opening to traffic one of the most fertile and populous areas in this section of the state. Under the management of such promoters as the Doctor and men of his energy and enterprise the work is being rapidly advanced and the completion of the road is in no distant future.
In 1886 Dr. Stutz was united in marriage to Miss Cora A. King, a daughter of William C. King, of this city. His mar- riage is blessed with one son, Paul K., aged twenty-two
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years. Fraternally the Doctor is a member of the Royal Ar- canum, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masons. Politically he is a democrat and takes a keen interest in the success of his party. Dr. Stutz and his wife are active and consistent members of Trinity church. The Doctor is a gentleman in full possession of the youth and vigor which act as a stimulus to greater and far-reaching accomplishments in his much loved profes- sion, while his skill and experience far outreach his years. Possessed of an energy which is second only to native ability, he devotes much time to study and research, penetrating the hidden mysteries of science and medical lore and by this method keeping thoroughly in touch with the latest advances in his profession. He is a genial gentleman, always courte- ous and considerate, of broad human sympathies and toler- ance, and possessed of that sincere love for his fellowmen without which there can never be the highest success in the medical profession. His friends are legion and the history of Wyandot county would not be complete without a record of his life and work.
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HENRY HOHNALD.
Henry Hohnald, a large landowner and extensive stock- raiser of Crane township, was born in Upper Sandusky, Sep- tember 8, 1847, and is a son of one of the earliest settlers in this section of Ohio. His father, Casper Hohnald, was born in France in 1820 and made his first location in this state in 1845, taking up his residence here in earliest pioneer times. At the government land sale he purchased lot No. 199, which is now just south of the Daily Chief building on Sandusky avenue in Upper Sandusky. Upon this property Casper Hohnald lived for a number of years and there his son Henry was born. The father followed the shoemaking trade in Upper Sandusky until 1853, but in that year turned his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, buying a farm in Crane township, upon which he resided until his death in 1895. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Mary M. Von Brunen, was born in Switzer- land in 1824 and died in Crane township in 1864. They were
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the parents of four children, John, Henry, Catherine and Julian.
In the acquirement of an education Henry Hohnald at- tended the public schools of Upper Sandusky until he was thirteen years of age and then spent two years in the German school, after which he laid aside his books and turned his attention to farming, an occupation with which he has been identified since that time. That he has met with a large de- gree of prosperity is evidenced by the fact that he now owns six hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land on section 4, Crane township, upon which he raises hay, corn and oats, gathering large crops annually. He attributes his suc- cess in large measure to his stock-raising interests, being an extensive breeder of fine sheep, of which he has one hundred and fifty at the present time. He keeps also eight head of cat- tle and two horses.
Mr. Hohnald is a member of the English Lutheran church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party, although he votes independently on all local issues. He is interested in the cause of education and has evidenced this interest by several years of able and effective work as a direc- tor of the school board. Throughout his entire life he has made his home in Wyandot county and for a long period has been recognized as one of its most substantial and progressive citizens, receiving from all who are associated with him the respect due to one whose career has ever been upright and honorable.
JOHN S. BROOKS.
Among the agriculturists of Salem township who are asso- ciated with the representative citizens and who have achieved success is numbered John S. Brooks, who operates the family homestead. He is the representative of the third generation in America of the Bruch family, whose name during the course of years has undergone some changes, finally acquiring its present form. The father of our subject, Christian Bruch, was born in Nassau, Germany, July 12, 1825, and until he was nine- teen years of age resided near the place of his birth, attending
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school and working at various occupations during his vaca- tions. In May, 1844, he accompanied his parents, Christian and Mary Bruch, on their journey across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. They were thirty-four days upon the ocean and after landing in New York, proceeded to Sandusky, Ohio, by boat and from there to Mansfield by wagon. There the father of our subject found employment with a stone mason, receiving for his services eight dollars per month. In 1846 he came to Wyandot county and here entered forty acres of government land in Salem township, upon which he built a log cabin and proceeded with the work of development. Dur- ing the summer months, however, he worked at the stone mason's trade and spent the winters clearing the timber from his property, and gradually brought the unbroken soil under the plow. As his financial resources grew he added to his holdings, purchasing in 1860 an additional eighty acres, and upon this property his son now resides. Here also Mr. Bruch, Sr., the grandfather of the subject of this review, died in 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, his wife having passed away three years previously, at the same age. Christian Bruch, the father of our subject, married Miss Mary Everly, a daughter of Henry Everly. She was born in Maryland and in early life came to Ohio, where she resided until her death, which occurred in August, 1866, when she was thirty-three years of age. She left to mourn her loss seven children: John S .; Frank; Joseph; Henry ; Mary, the wife of Philip Meyers, of Fostoria, Ohio; Anna, who married P. S. Kritz, of Toledo; and Rose, the wife of Adam Jackson, of Fostoria. Christian Bruch is one of the best known men in Salem township and his life has been characterized by steady adherence to high standards and ideals. He is a democrat in his political be- liefs and active in public affairs, although aside from his period of service as school director he has held no official posi- tion, preferring to give his entire time to his farming opera- tions and to his extensive business interests in Upper San- dusky. He is a man of excellent business ability, well known throughout the community for his honesty and for the interest which he takes in the public welfare. He is in every sense of the word worthy of the confidence of his friends and associates and during his active life was one of the township's most substantial business factors. He is now retired and makes his home with the subject of this review.
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John S. Brooks of this review was born in Upper San- dusky, May 12, 1857, and acquired his education in the public schools of that community. When not engaged with his books he aided in the operation of the homestead and since com- pleting his studies has given his entire time to the manage- ment of the farm. Although handicapped by ill health he has nevertheless achieved prosperity and success and the farm is in a high state of cultivation, well improved with a fine resi- dence, barns and outbuildings and giving evidence every- where of care and supervision. Religiously Mr. Brooks ad- heres to the doctrines of the Catholic church. He has inherited industry, integrity and perseverance from his sturdy Teutonic ancestors, always evidencing that willingness to work and ambition to succeed, common to those of his race. He has step by step made his way in the world until he has risen to a position where he is numbered among the county's sub- stantial farmers and most highly respected citizens.
RALPH E. SMITH.
Ralph E. Smith, who since beginning his active career at the age of eighteen has followed the barber's trade, is one of the active, enterprising and progressive young business men of Upper Sandusky. He was born in Marseilles township, November 29, 1884, and is a son of George W. and Deborah (Gatchell) Smith, the former a retired farmer. In this fam- ily were seven children, Charles C., Edward, David, Ada, Carrie, Bessie and Ralph E.
Ralph E. Smith acquired his education in the public schools of Upper Sandusky, which he attended until he was eighteen years of age, laying aside his books at that time to become a barber. He has followed this trade continuously since that time and has now a liberal patronage which is accorded him in recognition of his skill and his straightforward business methods. In addition to his work along this line he conducts a large dancing school in the city, giving a great deal of his attention to his classes.
On the 20th of June, 1907, Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Nellie B. Weiss, a daughter of G. W. Marshall, of Upper Sandusky. They are the parents of two children,
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Evelyn S. and Norma L. The elder daughter is only four years of age but has remarkable musical talent, being able to keep almost perfect time on the piano. Mrs. Smith has also one daughter by her first marriage, Alice E.
Mr. Smith attends the Methodist church, although he does not hold membership, and fraternally he is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been active in public life, preferring to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs. He is still a young man but already prosperous, and he possesses in his character and personality the salient ele- ments of success, so that his future advancement is assured.
CHARLES WIEST.
Charles Wiest owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pitt township and by constant application and progressive methods has surrounded himself with a nota- ble degree of prosperity. He is a native of this part of Wyan- dot county, born January 28, 1875, his parents being Christo- pher and Mary (Wilt) Wiest. The father was born in Baden, Germany, in 1822 and the mother in Stark county, Ohio, in 1831. Christopher Wiest left his native country at the age of fifteen and came as a pioneer to Richland township, Marion county, where for fifteen years he worked as a coach driver, later engaging in farming until his death, which occurred in 1901. His wife has also passed away, her death having oc- curred in 1889. In their family were twelve children, all of whom are now living except three, namely: Christopher, who died at the age of twenty-five years; and Caroline and another child who died in infancy. Those who survive are Louisa, Barbara, John, Samuel, Lena, Caroline, Christina, Maggie and Charles.
Charles Wiest acquired his early education in the district schools of Little Sandusky, which he attended until he was twenty-two years of age, and afterward took a course in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. He never neglected any educational opportunity and by constant study and wide read- ing, fitted himself for teaching, an occupation which he fol- lowed in Pitt township for three years. In 1900, however, he
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turned his attention to farming and bought eighty acres of land to which he has added from time to time, his holdings now comprising one hundred and sixty acres. He raises hay, corn, oats and a little wheat and keeps three hundred sheep, one hundred hogs, thirty head of cattle and eight horses, his stock-raising interests constituting an important source of his income.
On October 4, 1899, at Larue, Ohio, Mr. Wiest married Miss Bertha Alice Coon, a daughter of George W. and Mary Alice (Brenner) Coon, the former a prominent farmer of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Wiest have two daughters, Lora M. and Mary Alice. Mrs. Wiest is a devout member of the Baptist church but her husband has no religious affiliations. He is a member of the Wyandot Mutual Insurance Company, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Al- though he served for six years as a member of the school board, he has never desired office as a reward for party loyalty, preferring to give his time to the management of his business interests, which are conducted in a capable and progressive way, gaining him high rank among the leaders in the agricul- tural development in this part of the state.
BENJAMIN C. HARMAN.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in Upper Sandusky than Benjamin C. Harman, who since 1904 has been a leading factor in its mercantile circles. He is a native son of the city, born September 17, 1881, his parents being William Eugene and Nancy (Conley) Harman, the former of whom was born in Mccutchenville, Ohio, in 1847 and the latter in Wyandot county in 1862. The father was a carpenter by trade and followed this occupation until his death, which occurred in 1900. In this family were four chil- dren: Benjamin C., of this review; Ransom, a glass blower, who married Miss Della Travis, by whom he has two children, Edna and Eugene; Bonnie, who married Joseph Charlton, a mining engineer, by whom she has three children, John, Fern and Nancy; and Fred, who married Miss Eva Carpenter and who is now a clerk in the employ of his brother, the subject of this review.
B. C. HARMAN
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Benjamin C. Harman attended the public schools of Upper Sandusky and later entered a college at Massillon, Ohio, of which he was a student until twenty years of age. He began his business career as a carpenter and followed that occupa- tion for three years, after which he bought an interest in a . meat market, which he conducted in partnership with a Mr. Rangeler for some time. When he sold out his interest in this concern he formed a, partnership with Mr. Fink in the groc- ery business but in 1909 purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the enterprise alone. In 1912 he added a meat market to his grocery store and has made both departments extremely profitable. He has a stock valued at three thousand dollars and conducts all business on a cash basis, being rewarded for his able management and upright business methods by a large and representative patronage. He now operates two wagons in the delivery of his goods and has laid the foundation of what will undoubtedly come to be one of the leading mercantile concerns in this part of Wyandot county.
On June 29, 1909, Mr. Harman was united in marriage at Upper Sandusky to Miss Minnie Stecher, a daughter of Gott- lieb and Mary Stecher, the former a prosperous bricklayer. Mr. and Mrs. Harman are the parents of two sons: Robert Eugene, born April 20, 1911; and one, yet unnamed, born Feb- ruary 4, 1913. Mr. Harman is a regular attendant at the Evangelical church but does not hold membership. He be- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is a consistent republican, standing at all times for reform and progress in community affairs. He is yet a young man but has already won success in the field of commercial activity and is numbered among the influential and honored citizens of Upper Sandusky.
STEPHEN P. NORTON.
Agricultural interests of Antrim township find a worthy and progressive representative in Stephen P. Norton, who is a native son of the section and who since beginning his active career has been engaged in farming here. Success has at- tended his well directed efforts and he is today the owner of Vol. II-19
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one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, one of the best im- proved and profitable enterprises in this part of the state. He was born March 22, 1856, and is a son of Isaac and Eliza- beth (Nesbit) Norton, both natives of Pennsylvania, the for- mer born in York county, March 26, 1882, and the latter, in 1823. The father came to Wayne county and then to Wyandot county in pioneer times, settling in Antrim township in 1847. From that time until his death, which occurred in 1879, he engaged in farming, becoming a prosperous and successful agriculturist. His wife has passed away, her death having occurred in 1887. In this family were thirteen children, John G., Amanda, Hiram, Rebecca, Finley, Elizabeth, Catherine, Clay, Stephen P., Katie, Addie, Sarah and Benjamin, all of whom are living except the last named, who died in infancy.
Stephen P. Norton was reared to the occupation of farming and his childhood was similar to that of most farm lads. He had the advantage of a good education, attending the district school until he was seventeen and then spending four winters in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. After he put aside his books he farmed upon the homestead, aiding his father in its development until after the latter's death in 1879. Five years afterward Stephen P. Norton rented a farm in the vicin- ity and for a number of years cultivated this property, mak- ing it a valuable and well managed agricultural enterprise. In 1889 he made his first purchase of land, buying eighty acres which he developed for sixteen years, after which he sold this farm and in 1905 bought one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion 7. He has here steadily carried forward the work of im- provement, erecting fine buildings upon his land, which is now provided with a barn, originally twenty-six by eighty-nine feet, but with an L addition forty-three by thirty-three feet. All of the other buildings are modern, adequate and in good repair and the attractive appearance of the farm is an evi- dence of Mr. Norton's careful and intelligent supervision. He raises hay, corn and oats and in addition is extensively inter- ested in stock breeding, keeping ten head of cattle, six horses, one hundred sheep and forty hogs.
On October 16, 1889, in Crawford county, Mr. Norton mar- ried Miss Clara Sabina McCracken, a daughter of Jesse M. and Mary L. (Cook) McCracken, farmers in that part of Ohio. Her great-grandparents were Alexander and Margret (Mar- shall) McCracken. The former, whose natal year was 1746,
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died at Cambridge, Ohio, on the 9th of September, 1851, aged one hundred and four years, four months and fifteen days. His wife, a daughter of Lord Marshall of Ireland, was born in 1763 and died at Xenia, Ohio, on the 29th of June, 1827, at the age of sixty-four years. Their children were as follows: Henry, born in March, 1783, who died on shipboard, on the Atlantic ocean; Sarah (McCracken) McHenry, who was born in Pennsylvania in June, 1785; Mrs. Lillie (McCracken) Reid, whose birth occurred on the 20th of November, 1786, and who passed away at Cambridge, Ohio, at the age of ninety-seven years; William, who died at Cambridge, Ohio, when eighty- four years of age; Robert, whose natal day was April 5, 1790, and who passed away at the age of ninety-three years; James and Alexander, twins, who were born on the 11th of October, 1791; Henry, the second of the name and the father of Jesse M. McCracken, who was born on the 30th of July, 1793, and died at Monmouth, Illinois, on the 21st of April, 1838, at the age of forty-five years; Mrs. Martha (McCracken) Harbin- son was born on the 10th of April, 1795, and died in Kan- sas; Mrs. Margret (McCracken) Gaff, born January 11, 1797, who died in Los Angeles, California, at the age of ninety-three years; John, who was born on the 1st of April, 1799; Mrs. Jane (McCracken) McConnel, whose birth occurred on the 22d of January, 1801, and who passed away at Wooster, Ohio; Ar- thur, born February 9, 1804, who died at Houston, Texas, on the 27th of March, 1887, when eighty-three years of age; and Mrs. Mary (McCracken) McClary, who was born on the 17th of March, 1807, and passed away in Kansas. Jesse Mitchel McCracken, the father of Mrs. Clara S. Norton, was born at Xenia, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1832, while the birth of his wife, Mary Louisa (Cook) McCracken, occurred at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 10th of August, 1839. Unto them were born ten children, as follows: Hattie Belle, who was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 23d of March, 1862; Frank Hopkins, whose birth occurred at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 12th of January, 1864; Clara Sabina, who was born at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, on the 2d of December, 1865; William Henry, who was born at Bucy- rus, Ohio, on the 9th of March, 1868; Jay Cook, whose birth occurred at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 20th of July, 1870; Anna May, born at Wyandot, Ohio, on the 8th of May, 1872; Mary Grace, born at Wyandot, Ohio, on the 23d of March, 1874; Arthur Marshall, who was born at Nevada, Ohio, on the 22d
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of September, 1876; Maggie Laura, born at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 20th of June, 1879; and George Ralph, whose birth occurred at Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 3d of August, 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Norton are the parents of ten children: Fred- erick E., born in 1890; Louis A., 1892; May R., 1894; Thomas J., 1896; Joseph M., 1897; Olive G., 1899; Robert R., 1902; Clarence E., 1904; John H., 1907; and Albert S., born in 1909. The family are members of the Baptist church.
Stephen P. Norton does not affiliate with any particular political party, voting independently according to his per- sonal convictions. He served for two years as township su- pervisor and was for a similar period a member of the school board, his public service being marked by able, conscientious and far-sighted work. Antrim township numbers him among her most valued native sons, for his success has come as the result of his own labor and energy and his life has been at all times honorable and upright, worthy of the high esteem in which he is uniformly held.
WILLIAM ZAHN.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise and through the force of his public spirit and high integrity William Zahn has achieved notable success in the discharge, of his duties as superintendent of the Wyandot County In- firmary, an office which he has held since April, 1911. He was born on his father's farm in Salem township, January 3, 1872, and is a son of Julius and Fredrica (Tireing) Zahn, natives of Germany. The father came to the United States when he was twenty-four years of age and came as a pioneer into Salem township, where he bought government land and built a log cabin, encountering in early years all of the hard- ships and privations of pioneer life. He built a log cabin upon his holdings and carried forward the work of develop- ment for many years, residing on his farm until 1900, when he retired and moved into Upper Sandusky, where he has an attractive home. He is one of the best known citizens in this community, where his honorable and upright character has gained him widespread esteem. His wife passed away in 1902.
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